Going to the Dogs

In my Bible discussion group yesterday, we meditated and discussed the story of the Syro-Phoenician woman and Jesus. Here's my rough paraphrase...

As usual, our man is dead tired. He just had a major scrap with the Pharisees about hand-washing, and is so sick of those hypocrites. He goes someplace where he thinks nobody will find him, somebody's house.

Well, you just know that means someone is going to show up with a problem. She barges in and starts in on her daughter being demon-possessed and all. He has seen so many of these and he's a little bit bored with it, I think. And she's Greek, to boot. Is there really any decision to make here? There's only so much of him to go around. Pull down the shade, closed for the day, nobody home. Didn't need to say the thing about the dogs, though. Even it's TRUE you can't go feeding dogs before you make sure your own kids are fed. True, if not exactly on message. And she says, Even dogs can lie under the table and catch the crumbs from the children. Not bad, not bad. You got to give the blessing for that kind of balls, especially on a woman. How she must love that kid. He does it, he gives the blessing. He's got to.

Q: When am I so tired I forget my decision to love people, I get stingy with my blessing?
A: Several times a week.

Q: What do I love so much that I would go to any lengths for a blessing? Look like a fool, trash my reputation, grovel at someone's feet?
A: Almost nothing.

Lord, Hear my prayer.